·        Hot Topic Hour March 15 Had New Insights on Mercury Measurement and Control Which are Worth the Time to View the Recording

·        Headlines for the March 16, 2012 – Utility E-Alert

·        Thousands of Air Pollution Upgrades Underway at Coal-fired Power Plants

·        Solar Installations Provide Double Benefits

Hot Topic Hour March 15 had new insights on Mercury Measurement and Control which are worth the time to view the recording

 Fortunately, the McIlvaine Hot Topic Hours are recorded.  Many of them are important enough for you to view. If you do not get the chance to participate, then you can access the recording later. If you are a subscriber to Power Plant Air Quality Decisions, there is no charge. If not, the cost is only $95.

 The Hot Topic Hour on Thursday was about new ways to control mercury and to measure it. Sorbent traps were discussed as an alternative to CEMS. Three alternatives to activated carbon were claimed to be more cost effective.

 Jim Wright, Director of Source Testing Mercury at Clean Air Engineering, Inc., discussed mercury measurement, specifically continuous monitoring at very low levels using sorbent trap technology. The sorbent trap can accurately measure very low mercury levels. It may be the only way to accurately measure at the levels mandated by New Source Performance Standards (NSPS).  A number of sorbent trap systems are operating in states which now require monitoring. Utilities are replacing the traps themselves. Thus the operating costs are comparable to CEMS. The disadvantage is lack of process control. You only find out the results every hundred hours. But this device could be coupled with a CEMS if process control is also needed. The CEMS could be configured just for process intelligence without constraints about operation for compliance demonstration. 

 John Darrow, Associate, and Jeff Kolde of the Mercury Control Technology Team at W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. described a new fixed-bed sorbent technology for controlling mercury emissions from combustion applications. This “end-of-pipe” solution provides a simple and effective way to continuously capture both elemental and oxidized mercury from flue gas streams for typically several years at a time without requiring regeneration. Drawbacks of activated carbon injection such as flyash contamination and interference by SO₃ are completely avoided.  In addition to very high mercury removal efficiency, SO_x emissions are reduced as a co-benefit.  Cost comparisons to activated carbon were provided. The Gore approach showed economic advantages in several cases analyzed. It appears to also be attractive as an add-on technology in case higher efficiencies are needed in the future. If a power plant is installing an FGD system, it can leave additional height above the mist eliminator for eventual installation of the Gore modules.

 Bobby IT. Chen, Client Program Manager of Integrated Emissions Solutions at Shaw Environmental & Infrastructure Group, presented some very up-to-date information on the control of mercury from power plants burning lignite coal using a special brominated compound. He advised participants that

• EMO™ injection successfully demonstrated Hg compliance to the final EPA EGU MACT (>90% plus stack Hg oxidization and Hg removal efficiency)
• EMO™ yielded no impact to the stack particulate and HCl emissions
• EMO™ injection does not create flyash disposal problems (No metal leaching issues observed)
• Some applications require a combination of EMO and PAC for efficient Hg control and to be cost-effective.

 Marc Sylvester, Vice-president for Sales at Midwest Energy Emissions Corp (ME2C), discussed control of mercury emissions from major utility and industrial boilers utilizing patented technologies. ME2C has worked closely with the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) at the University of North Dakota to develop and deploy cost effective mercury control technologies in the world.  The technology combines enhancement additives with sorbents at two injection points. Details on performance at a 700 MW power plant were provided. 90 percent capture was achieved with enhancement additives of 0.3 lb/MACFM and sorbent of 1.2 lb /MACFM. Brominated activated carbon was only able to obtain 80 percent capture at 3.2 lb/MACFM. Another difference was that ME2C had no impact on flyash sales whereas the brominated activated carbon created an unsalable flyash.

The following Hot Topic Hours have been recorded (both audio and video) and are available for viewing.  Each session includes presentations by world experts on the specific title subject.  Very current graphs and diagrams are included. There is a good mix between discussions and presentations. The sessions utilize valuable visual branches of the McIlvaine Decision Trees. You will need a password to view. 

Click here to order recordings access

Thousands of Air Pollution Upgrades Underway at Coal-fired Power Plants

Here are the Headlines for the March 16, 2012 – Utility E-Alert

UTILITY E-ALERT

 #1066 – March 16, 2012

 Table of Contents  

COAL – US

• NRG Dunkirk threatened by Low Natural Gas Prices
• Homer City likely to receive Permit for Scrubber
• Fight continues against Tensaka IGCC Power Plant in Taylorville, IL
• MC Industrial awarded $22.5 Million Contract for Westar Energy Future SCR Project

 COAL – WORLD

• Rohana Villagers (Maharashtra, India) still protesting 2600 MW Coal-fired Power Project
• Scottish Power to shut 1,200 MW Cockenzie in March 2013
• Lanco planning Three 1,320 MW Power Plants in Amarkantak, Maharashtra and Babandh, Orissa, India
• Adani conducting Pre-feasibility Study on Coal-fired Power Plant in Central Java, Indonesia
• Contracts for Three Mine-Mouth Power Plants in Indonesia awarded by PLN
• Lots of Air Quality Retrofits planned in Serbia

 GAS / OIL – US

• GE to supply Gas Turbines for Thomas C Ferguson Replacement
• Progress Energy Smith Gas-fired Power Plant to be upgraded by GE
• Wärtsilä to supply Gen Sets for Matanuska Electric Assoc. Power Plant

 GAS / OIL – WORLD

• Alfa Laval to provide Equipment for Combined Cycle Power Plant in Central America
• 470 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant in Swaida, Syria to be built with Iranian Help
• Two 450 MW Combined Cycle Units at Tolimarjon, Uzbekistan delayed
• 412 MW Pont-sur-Sambre has Money Problems because of Contract Price for Gas

 CO₂

• UK Launches £20 Million Competition for Carbon Capture Innovations

• Shell Canada’s Environmental Assessment for Scotford CCS Project is Approved 

 NUCLEAR

• Enel delays Completion of Mochovce 3 and 4
• Muehleberg lodges Appeal against Early Shutdown

 BUSINESS

• CORRECTION: MARCH 13, 2012 - FGD Startups for ANDRITZ Energy & Environment GmbH

§  Met Announces Re-Entrance into Particulate Control

• Lhoist North America to construct Sorbacal Hydration Facility at Ste.Genevieve Plant
• Fuel Tech to supply Separated Overfire Air System for Tangentially-fired Midwestern Utility
• Exelon and Constellation Energy Merge

 HOT TOPIC HOUR

• Hot Topic Hour March 15 had new insights on Mercury Measurement and Control
• “Industrial Boiler MACT - Impact and Control Options” is Hot Topic Hour on March 22, 2012
• Upcoming Hot Topic Hours
•  

   For more information on the Utility Environmental Upgrade Tracking System, click on: http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/brochures/energy.html#42ei.

 Thousands of Air Pollution Upgrades Underway at Coal-fired Power Plants

 Due to tighter regulations, coal-fired power plants around the world are retrofitting air pollution control equipment. In addition, there are many new coal-fired power plants in Asia that are being equipped with the latest air pollution control technologies. The result is thousands of current projects amounting to more than $30 billion.  Each of these projects is reported in the McIlvaine Utility Environmental Upgrade Tracking System.

 The U.S. activity is reaching a new peak due to the recent Mercury and Air Toxics Standard (MATS). Large numbers of fabric filters and dry injection systems to capture HCl and SO₂ are in the planning stage with compliance due in just three years.

 A number of projects are also under way in Europe.  Eastern Europe is very active. Serbia has FGD and NO_x projects in construction and planning along with electrostatic precipitator upgrades.

 Most of the activity in India involves new coal-fired boilers. Plants with three or more large boilers with combined capacities up to 4000 MW are being initiated. Contracts for three new coal-fired power plants with air pollution control equipment have just been ordered in Indonesia. These coal-fired power plants will total over 2000 MW. Pakistan is also continuing to build coal-fired power plants. A number of projects are under way in Vietnam.

 The leading country in terms of projects and investment is China. Orders for new coal-fired power plants are averaging 3000 MW per month. Typically, these are large ultrasupercritical boilers with electrostatic precipitators, selective catalytic reduction systems and wet limestone flue gas desulfurization.

 The companies participating in this market are becoming more geographically diverse. Chinese companies have dominated the electrostatic precipitator market for more than a decade. However, most of the sales by these companies have been in Asia. Alstom has maintained a lead in the rest of the world.

Most of the Chinese FGD systems have been built under license from Japanese, European and U.S. companies.  Some Chinese companies are now supplying their own designs. In fact, one Chinese company has licensed its dry scrubbing technology to Marsulex for application in the West.  Marsulex has long been a licensor of wet FGD technology in China.

 The ranking of the suppliers in Europe has changed substantially in recent years primarily due to restructuring of some of the companies. Doosan Power and Andritz are now active in FGD through acquisitions.

 For more information on Utility Environmental Upgrade Tracking System, click on:  http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/brochures/energy.html#42ei.

Solar Installations Provide Double Benefits

The installation of solar panels on commercial buildings provides a win-win for many businesses. Not only does it provide a green image for the company involved it also saves on energy costs. McIlvaine tracks these projects in Renewable Energy Projects and Updates.

IKEA Solar Presence in U.S. Approaches 85 Percent with Plans to Install Solar Panels on Five Locations in Midwestern U.S.

IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, announced plans to install solar energy panels on five more of its U.S. locations – all of them in the Midwest. Pending government permits, installation can begin soon, with completion expected in summer 2012. Implementation of these projects will extend the IKEA solar presence to nearly 85 percent of its U.S. locations. Collectively, the five stores will total 4.8 MW of solar generating capacity, approximately 20,400 panels, and an annual output of 5.62 million kWh of electricity.

IKEA will own and operate each of its solar PV energy systems atop its buildings – as opposed to a solar lease or PPA – now including its two Chicago-area stores (Bolingbrook and Schaumburg), as well as stores in Bloomington, MN, Canton, MI and Pittsburgh, PA.

For the Pittsburgh store, IKEA contracted with REC Solar, an industry-leading solar power provider specializing in grid-tied residential, commercial and government installations, with more than 7,000 systems built nationwide. REC Solar already has installed systems at other IKEA locations, and currently is implementing solar PV programs at additional IKEA locations. For the four other locations, IKEA contracted with SoCore Energy, one of the largest commercial solar developers in the Midwest and developer of more than 65 commercial scale PV installations across the U.S. SoCore provides some of the largest retailers, municipalities, and commercial property owners with unique solar solutions.

UNI-SOLAR^® Powers Boeing’s Dreamliner Assembly Plant in South Carolina

United Solar, the global manufacturer of UNI-SOLAR^® lightweight, flexible solar modules and a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. announced that Baker Renewable Energy has completed the installation of a 2.6 MW system containing its photovoltaic laminates on the roof of Boeing’s new 787 Dreamliner jet assembly plant located in North Charleston, SC.

As one of the largest rooftop solar installations in the U.S., the 2.6 MW project is expected to offset both a significant percentage of the building usage and 3,660 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. In addition, the energy generation is projected to be over 3,950 MWh per year and is enough to supply power to nearly 870 homes. The assembly plant was operational this past July and the first 787 Dreamliner to be built there will take flight in mid 2012.

Prologis, SCE, Kimberly-Clark Announce Installation of a Major Single Rooftop Solar Power System at California Distribution Center

Kimberly-Clark – Prologis Inc., Southern California Edison and Kimberly-Clark Corporation announced that Kimberly-Clark’s Redlands, CA distribution center has received one of the largest single rooftop solar power installations in the country.

Expanding on the 100 kW solar array installed in 2009, the 4.9 MW (DC), or 3.5 MW (AC), solar installation now covers 350,000 square feet of roof space. The renewable energy generated from this rooftop solar array will produce up to 6.6 million kWh of clean energy per year, will offset approximately 4,500 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually, and provide enough electricity to power approximately 925 average Southern California homes a year.

Prologis owns the building, Prologis Park Redlands #5, and managed the construction of the solar facility. The project was designed and financed by SCE, which will own the solar installation and use the power to serve customers in the community. Kimberly-Clark is the building’s sole tenant and receives power from the original 100-kW solar installation.

Built in 2005, Prologis Park Redlands #5 is a 700,000-square foot facility that has been occupied by Kimberly-Clark since 2007. The company uses the distribution center to supply its full line of consumer products – including Kleenex, Huggies, Scott, Depend and Kotex – to retailers around the country. 

Throughout California, SCE and Prologis have worked together to bring more than 50 MW of solar projects online since 2008.

SPI to Construct 400 kW Solar System for Volkswagen’s U.S. Emission Laboratory and Technical Center in Oxnard, CA

SPI Solar (SPI) a leading vertically integrated PV solar developer, announced that it has been contracted by BLT Enterprises to design and build a 400 kW DC distributed generation PV solar energy facility (SEF) to help power operations at Volkswagen’s U.S. Test Center California which encompasses a Technical Center and an Emissions Laboratory located in Oxnard, CA. The center, currently under construction by an affiliate of BLT Enterprises, is a 63,500 square-foot facility which will be one of the automobile industry’s most advanced emissions testing and power train development facilities. The center will be used by various brands within the Volkswagen Group which includes Volkswagen, Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley and Bugatti.

The SEF being designed by SPI will utilize a mix of rooftop and carport structures to host the onsite solar array. It is the second large-scale system SPI has produced for BLT. In January, 2011 SPI announced completion of a 398 kW system at BLT’s Fremont, CA state-of-the-art waste recovery operation facility.

SPI expects to begin construction of the SEF in the first quarter of 2012.

“Green” Beer Comes to Hale’s Ales with Installation of Hybrid Solar Thermal System for Net Zero Impact

Net Zero Impact has begun installation of a hybrid solar-thermal system at Hale’s Alex, the company’s largest and most sophisticated solar project to date. Located in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood, the project kicked off with the dramatic lowering of a 1,200-gallon storage tank through a temporary opening in the brewery’s roof.

Over the next 25 years, Net Zero Impact technology will prevent 3.3 million pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere. Hale’s Alex expects to save approximately $15,000 per year on natural gas costs. The system will supply 3,000 to 4,000 gallons of solar-heated water per day for various brewing processes, radiant heating for the building and use by the adjoining Hale’s Pub.

 Kingspan solar thermal tubes transform direct and diffuse sunlight – solar radiation available even on cold, cloudy or humid days – into useful heat in the form of hot water, capturing the sun’s energy, a critically important advantage in the Pacific Northwest’s frequently sun-starved environment.

Inside each Kingspan Solar air evacuated tube, solar radiation is collected, concentrated and transferred to an insulated manifold. Super-heated water is then pumped through a heat exchanger to Hale’s 1,200-gallon storage tank. Kingspan’s patented technology for controlling heat in this process is credited for the system’s long production life and 25-year warranty.

For more information on Renewable Energy Projects and Update please visit

http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/brochures/Renewable_Energy_Projects_Brochure/renewable_energy_projects_brochure.htm

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Bob McIlvaine
President
847 784 0012 ext 112

rmcilvaine@mcilvainecompany.com

www.mcilvaine@mcilvainecompany.com

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191 Waukegan Road Suite 208 | Northfield | IL 60093

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